Viper Alarm Installed In A 2008 Silverado

TexasAl · February 21, 2009

Okay, so I did a lot of research on alarms, and I decided to go with the Viper 5901 (same as Clifford 50.7). I purchased the alarm online, and I had it installed at Best Buy by DEI trained installers. It was an easy install, but if I installed it myself, DEI would not honor the warranty, so I bit the bullet, and had them install it. Good thing is, if anything goes wrong with the alarm (as long as I still own the car), they will fix it at no extra cost. Best Buy does not carry this model, so the installers where really impressed with the features. Here are some of the features I really like. It has a lot more, but these are the ones I know about so far.

-2 way remote tells you exactly what your truck is doing eg. remote start on/off, alarm activated, doors locked/unlocked, silent alarm (to catch theives red handed), what sensor has been activated.

-Inside temp. displayed on screen of remote

-two way remote has a 1 mile range (so far it has worked great)

-valet takeover allows you to leave the truck running , and you can take your keys with you

-remote tells you that the truck received the signal to remote start

-mercury switch on tool box lid will activate alarm is the lid is opened.

Install was super clean. The tech sodered evey single wire together. Only 7 wires went into the actual truck. The rest was handled by the bypass module 1701G. I know several of you have had a bad experience with Best Buy tech's, but these guys knew what they where doing. By the way, DEI will cover products covered online, as long as they are insalled by a DEI installer. All in all, I paid:

$260.00 for Viper alarm 5901 and 1701G Bypass module

$240.00 for Alarm install and mercury trigger on toolbox

I got quoted as much as $1100.00 for this same setup (minus the tool box sensor) at other local shops, so I'm a happy camper. If you are thinking of getting the two way remote from GM, forget it, and get this alarm instead.

takevin · February 21, 2009

Viper is the best, have the same one!

grumpysgmc · February 21, 2009

Glad your happy with your new system. I had the Clifford 50.7 installed a few months ago and it is freaking awesome. My truck came with the remote start, but these systems compared to the factory are like a lambo to a VW. I was really disappointed with the range of the factory. I've never been in any building yet and not have my truck start, and I really like being able to look at the screen and know it started. One of my favorite mods.

Zembonez · February 21, 2009

I also have a Viper system on my truck. It includes remote start, alarm, keyless, etc. but I only am currently using the keyless entry and starter kill functions. no squawking siren for me! I really like DEI products.

knightr · February 21, 2009

Al... If you don't mind me asking, where did you get such a good price for the 5901/1701g.

ColoradoSkiCountry · February 21, 2009

Has Viper/Clifford finally come up with a way to have the truck lights (headlights) disabled so that they do not come on when you use the remote start in the dark hours? Thats my biggest pet peeve, that and the fact that the stupid parking lights flash everytime I turn off the ignition and the doors unlock. pisses me off. The dealer (where I had the alarm/remote start installed) stated that they are unable to do anything about those issues because of how the alarm is tied into the onboard computer of the truck.

TexasAl · February 21, 2009

Al... If you don't mind me asking, where did you get such a good price for the 5901/1701g.

There are a lot of places. I went to Amazon.com and purchased it from a company from Houston Texas that looks to be well established called Sigma Enterprises. There is another one from California that looked pretty good called Beach audio. I stayed away from the people that only had one or two things to sell from DEI, just to make sure I didn't get somebodies left overs. I went ahead and purchased the 1701G from another company on Amazon, and they got everything to me in TWO DAYS! I purchased it 3p.m. Monday, and I had everything in my door on Wed.!

Alarm: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00...8290&sr=8-1

1701G http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Start-Databus...8330&sr=1-1

Let me know if you need any other info.

TexasAl · February 21, 2009

As far as the lights are concerned, they work pretty much the same as before. I RS the truck at night, and the corner lights are on. When I unlock the truck, the head lights come on. From what I understand, you could simply leave the headlight wire off, and it should be fine. You might want to find another DEI installer and see what they tell you. There is a great forum called www.the12volt.com and it has interesting information on alarm installs, with lots of knowlegable installers hanging around. Good luck

takevin · February 21, 2009

Has Viper/Clifford finally come up with a way to have the truck lights (headlights) disabled so that they do not come on when you use the remote start in the dark hours? Thats my biggest pet peeve, that and the fact that the stupid parking lights flash everytime I turn off the ignition and the doors unlock. pisses me off. The dealer (where I had the alarm/remote start installed) stated that they are unable to do anything about those issues because of how the alarm is tied into the onboard computer of the truck.

Just the matter of wiring but it can be done.

grumpysgmc · February 22, 2009

Has Viper/Clifford finally come up with a way to have the truck lights (headlights) disabled so that they do not come on when you use the remote start in the dark hours? Thats my biggest pet peeve, that and the fact that the stupid parking lights flash everytime I turn off the ignition and the doors unlock. pisses me off. The dealer (where I had the alarm/remote start installed) stated that they are unable to do anything about those issues because of how the alarm is tied into the onboard computer of the truck.

My headlights do not stay on when I use my remote start. The parking lights and headlights with both flash twice and then just the parking lights stay on. The parking lights do flash when you lock and unlock but I think most do that. Those things are easy to live with though for the killer range this thing has.

Gryphon · February 22, 2009

Good choice on the alarm. I had the Python 990 done at a local electronics store that's renowned for their high quality installs. I chose not to cheap out because the last remote start I had done at a big-box store got farked up so bad I was stranded in a parking lot once because the damn starter kill refused to disengage. The equipment and install cost me almost a grand since I have an immobilizer (insurance requirement here) plus Passlock 2 and power locks to integrate with. However I'm now protected with an alarm, an immobilizer, factory anti-theft, a club, THREE sirens (two under the hood, one in the cab), and the horn. Once I get my Grover emergency horn installed I plan to hook it to that as well. Anyone that messes with my ride will be in for a rude surprise.

Overkill? Not when you've had your vehicle broken into five times in three years.

blackgold · March 4, 2009

Hey texasAl, thanks for pointing out I needed MORE toys for the truck.. I ordered my 5901 and 1701G Monday. I need it by Friday to drive down to Houston to have it installd Saturday. I paid extra freight on the alarm to guaranty I get it in time. The 1701G will come from NY. Hoping on it. I guess if need be, I should be able to find one in Houston to buy. My 5901 should be here today so I'm pretty excited. GD this truck is going to kill me!

Brian

Good choice on the alarm. I had the Python 990 done at a local electronics store that's renowned for their high quality installs. I chose not to cheap out because the last remote start I had done at a big-box store got farked up so bad I was stranded in a parking lot once because the damn starter kill refused to disengage. The equipment and install cost me almost a grand since I have an immobilizer (insurance requirement here) plus Passlock 2 and power locks to integrate with. However I'm now protected with an alarm, an immobilizer, factory anti-theft, a club, THREE sirens (two under the hood, one in the cab), and the horn. Once I get my Grover emergency horn installed I plan to hook it to that as well. Anyone that messes with my ride will be in for a rude surprise.

Overkill? Not when you've had your vehicle broken into five times in three years.

TexasAl · March 5, 2009

Hey texasAl, thanks for pointing out I needed MORE toys for the truck.. I ordered my 5901 and 1701G Monday. I need it by Friday to drive down to Houston to have it installd Saturday. I paid extra freight on the alarm to guaranty I get it in time. The 1701G will come from NY. Hoping on it. I guess if need be, I should be able to find one in Houston to buy. My 5901 should be here today so I'm pretty excited. GD this truck is going to kill me!
Brian

Good choice on the alarm. I had the Python 990 done at a local electronics store that's renowned for their high quality installs. I chose not to cheap out because the last remote start I had done at a big-box store got farked up so bad I was stranded in a parking lot once because the damn starter kill refused to disengage. The equipment and install cost me almost a grand since I have an immobilizer (insurance requirement here) plus Passlock 2 and power locks to integrate with. However I'm now protected with an alarm, an immobilizer, factory anti-theft, a club, THREE sirens (two under the hood, one in the cab), and the horn. Once I get my Grover emergency horn installed I plan to hook it to that as well. Anyone that messes with my ride will be in for a rude surprise.

Overkill? Not when you've had your vehicle broken into five times in three years.

LMAO! I hear ya brother. The more I am on this forum, the more toys I find for my truck. The alarm is really good. Two nights ago, I parked on the truck on the side of the street, instead of in my regular apartment parking. There was not way I would have heard the alarm if it rang. Well, sure enough, at 3 a.m., the remote starts beeping like crazy! I get my Ruger SR9, and my Maglite, and run outside. Mind you, it is only 45 degrees (in Texas, that is freaking cold), and I am in shorts and an undershirt. I find this drunk idiot, hiding from the police, after he had left a bar a few miles down the road. He was parked about a foot in front of my truck, and the shock sensor picked up the vibration from the loud exhaust. You should have seen the face on this guy! I put down my gun, and I approached the guy. He was apologizing for making my alarm go off. Anyway, this alarm really give me piece of mind, that even if I can't hear the alarm, I will at least be notified if somebody messes with my truck. Let us know how the install goes. Good Luck

miramballer · March 5, 2009

I was looking at the viper 5901 myself for some time .. One thing i always wondered, it says that the remote with the LED screen has a lithium ion battery in it and is rechargeable with mini usb recharging .. I awlays wondered how often do you have to recharge it?? Does the charge last a while?? or does it need to be plugged in every 1/2 days like a phone

TexasAl · March 5, 2009

I was looking at the viper 5901 myself for some time .. One thing i always wondered, it says that the remote with the LED screen has a lithium ion battery in it and is rechargeable with mini usb recharging .. I awlays wondered how often do you have to recharge it?? Does the charge last a while?? or does it need to be plugged in every 1/2 days like a phone

Good question,

So far, I have not had to charge the remote since I got it installed on Feb. 19th. The batery indicator show over 3/4 of the battery is charged. I currently have the vibrate and beep on as well as the back lit option. I feel I use it extensively, so I'm thinking I am going to have to charge it every 6 weeks. Not too bad. If you get this alarm, you won't regret it.

-Al